Jaeger LeCoultre is famous for their Atmos but equally iconic is the Reverso range of watches. In 2013, JLC celebrated their 180th Anniversary and that was when they unveiled the Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface Bleu.
When one thinks of a rectangular face watch, the Reverso comes to mind. Invented in the 1930s for polo players to protect their watches during the game, the swivel case Reverso has blossomed into many a complications including my favorite the Gyrotourbillon 2. My dream watch - but alas, the budget is just not there. So I have a more modest Boutique Only Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duoface Bleu 1931 ref 378858J. Why Ultra Thin? Because it is only 9.14mm tall.
The Duoface was first created in 1994 and features two time zone. It is probably one of the easiest two time zone watch to set - how more difficult than to just press a button. And with a day and night indicator, it makes it a lot easier to get it right.
The watch comes encased in steel and the front dial is blue lacquered with rhodium plated hour markers. The rich blue lacquer dial was love at first sight. Reminiscent of the Art Deco style, the dial is clean, symmetrical and visually pleasing.
The back dial where the home time shows is white with the Clous de Paris guilloché. I must say that the guilloché is well done. The watch face with the overlapping Day/Night indicator provides a nice symmetry to the watch.
The watch comes with two straps - alligator and calf skin strap with a tang buckle. Pictured here with the alligator strap.
The calf skin strap comes from the famed Argentinian workshop of Casa Fagliano who is one of the top polo boot maker in the world. Somehow, I still prefer the alligator strap.
Even the case back is well decorated - perlage. The "Special Edition" watch has a power reserve of 45 hours. This is a Boutique only piece.
The watch has been tested for 1,000 hours as with all JLC watches. In the 1,000 hours Control test, the entire watch (not just the movement) is subjected to tests approximating normal wear and the standards are said to be much stricter than the COSC as imposed by the Bureaux du Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres. And the wrist shot…
I still say to many a friends looking to start a mechanical watch journey that JLC still represents great value for a in-house manufactured movement. Now with the 1,000 Hours Control testing, you possess a great timepiece that assures you of the quality that says Swiss Made.
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